Coburg dealt a blow with a star midfielder retiring mid-season

Coburg has been dealt a major blow with a star midfielder to retire from the VFL after this week’s clash against Brisbane.

Coburg has suffered a major blow with influential midfielder Jacob Ballard calling time on his VFL career.

The former Fremantle player and 2019 Richmond VFL premiership winner will hang up the boots following Saturday’s match against Brisbane in Brisbane due to an unexpected employment opportunity in NSW.

Ballard, 28, joined the Lions ahead of the cancelled 2020 season, making a long-awaited debut in 2021 and playing seven of 10 games.

The hard-nosed onballer’s sixth game of the season will be his 13th for the club and 91st VFL match.

In a video of his farewell speech to his teammates, Ballard said he would still be keeping a close eye on the club.

Coburg’s Jacob Ballard in action last season. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“I was pretty excited by the (employment) news but it’s also a tough pill to swallow because I haven’t been able to have a full year at the club,” he said.

“The last couple of weeks, we would have loved to have won some games but that’s not always what it’s about.

“I want to see us come out and have those non-negotiables – effort, contest – I’d love to see them improve each week.

“As I leave the club the trajectory is still building towards being a really successful club.

“I’m not a massive footy fan outside of playing footy so I don’t always keep up with the scores but the Coburg games will be the one I do make sure I’m checking every week.”

The Warrandyte junior came through the Northern Knights NAB League pathway, finishing runner-up in the club’s best-and-fairest and representing Vic Metro in 2012.

After missing out at the AFL Draft he signed for the Northern Blues, impressing enough to be rookie listed by Fremantle with pick No.47 in 2013.

Ballard made his AFL debut in the final round of the 2015 season against Adelaide but was delisted at the end of the season, a day before winning WAFL affiliate Peel’s best-and-fairest award.

Returning to Victoria, he signed for Richmond’s VFL team and was named on the interchange of the 2017 Team of the Year and two years later helped the Tigers win the VFL flag.

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Lions coach Andrew Sturgess said Ballard would be sorely missed.

“It’s not often people play as little footy at a club that he has yet have the impact, particularly from a culture and standards perspective, that he has,” Sturgess told the club website.

“The last three years haven’t gone the way he – or anyone – would’ve liked, yet throughout he has remained committed to ensuring the growth and development of our playing list and club culture head and shoulders above his own individual needs or wants.

“JB’s team first, club first, selfless attitude has left an impression on all of us and while he leaves a void that will be hard to replace, we are stoked for the professional opportunity he has in front of him and wish him nothing but the best.”